Selling A Car Privately

[Celtoid]

Hey Guys,

It's time to say goodbye to my Disco 4 and want to get the best return for it, so I'm opting to sell it privately.

I haven't sold a car this way in 20 years and never in Queensland.

I'd appreciate any advice on what I need to do legally and also on which forums/websites seem to be the most successful.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Kev.

[Tote]

Having bought a ute from Qld last year, unlike NSW there is no way to transfer the rego so you must sell it unregistered if you want to get a refund on the rego and not be responsible for the purchaser's parking sins.
I did a deal with the previous owner of my ute and posted him back the plates and we went halves in the rego refund.
I'd suggest that in order to attract buyers that you mention in your ad that you are prepared to get an unregistered vehicle permit for a prospective purchaser.

Regards,
Tote

[Killer]

I'm note sure what Tote means about not being able to transfer rego. In Queensland before you sell a vehicle that is registered, you must obtain and display a safety certificate from an approved checking station. (roadworthy certificate for want of a better name) You are not permitted to advertise the vehicle until you have one. When you sell the vehicle you and the purchaser need to fill in a transfer form, and submit it to Queensland transport.Transport and Main Roads Corporate Forms F3520 - Vehicle Registration Transfer Application (http://www.support.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/formsdat.nsf/qtforms/QF3520/)
The purchaser then has 14 days to transfer the rego to his name.

More information here,
Buying or selling a used vehicle (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Registration/Buying-or-selling-a-used-vehicle.aspx)
and here,
Transferring registration (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Registration/Transferring-registration.aspx)

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Mick.

[vnx205]

There seem to be a lot of people out on oil rigs in the middle of the ocean who are keen to buy any car you advertise for sale.
:p:p:p

[Bigbjorn]

To offer a registered vehicle for sale in Qld. it must have a Safety Certificate and the blue copy must be attached to the vehicle. Then if the buyer has a Qld. address the registration can be transferred. To offer a vehicle for sale without a Safety Certificate, it must first be de-registered. It is an offence to offer a registered vehicle for sale without the certificate. Be warned, do not stand a vehicle with for sale notices on it on a street under the control of the Brisbane City Council. This is an offence.

[BigBlueOne]

A little off the topic of actually selling the car but before you allow any potential drivers a test drive ensure you see their drivers licence and write down their details. Too many people here in Perth have been held up during test drives and had their vehicle stolen.

[Tote]

To clarify, my sale was interstate, in NSW if an interstate buyer purchases my car I can sign the registered vehicle over to them and they can register in their home state at their convenience within the required time and cancel the NSW rego and pocket the refund.
Can't do that in Qld as the only person that can cancel the rego is the registered owner and they need to hand the plates in,

Regards,
Tote

[Killer]

Thanks Tote, I wasn't aware of that little issue with transferring out of Qld, I have only ever gone the other way, NSW to Qld.

Cheers, Mick.

[Keithy P38]

Step 1: Get a roadworthy certificate.

Step 2: Detail your Disco (or pay someone to do it), then take heaps of quality photos (photos sell cars - period). Make the sun work in your favour, it all helps!

Step 3: Put it up for sale in the free spots first (eg, here, Facebook, etc). If after a short amount of time you have no luck, try Carsales.com.au or one of the others (I personally prefer Carsales).

Step 4: Sign transfer papers with the new owner (provided they are a QLD resident), and enjoy your millions!

[d2dave]

Step 3: Put it up for sale in the free spots first (eg, here, Facebook, etc).

Gumtree is another good one.

[Kev the Fridgy]

Keithy P38 is spot on.... it's no mystery, get the car inspected, repair any faults found, advertise and wait for the flood of enquiries.... do make sure it's clean when you take photo's, I troll carsales and boatpoint regularly and to see how some people present there item for sale is disgraceful.... good clean car well lighted from the sun makes a big difference... even wet it down for the photos... makes it look glossier

[solmanic]

A little off the topic of actually selling the car but before you allow any potential drivers a test drive ensure you see their drivers licence and write down their details. Too many people here in Perth have been held up during test drives and had their vehicle stolen.

I would go one better and ask to hang on to their license while they drive it, assuming you aren't going to ride along - which I always do.

For advertising, you can't beat Carsales, but as others have suggested, start on places like this forum first. When you do start advertising widely on-line, for God's sake take decent photos! If you have access to a wide angle lens then use it for the interior shots. Take a ton of photos and use the maximum number you are allowed to on whatever site you advertise. Simple formula - start on the outside, opposite corners and perhaps a side & front shot, then plenty of interior shots and perhaps an engine bay depending on how clean it is. If you exclude a particular area (say inside shots), people will automatically assume it is a mess in there. Carsales offers it own photographing package which a lot of dealerships use. Have a look at the angles they take on their in-house ads and copy that.

If, like I was, you are selling a vehicle you dearly love, a good set of "hero" shots is worth it for advertising and sentimental value. Sunset also makes for great photos. For example:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/solmanic42/media/IMG_5934.jpg.html)

And inside...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/solmanic42/media/IMG_5965.jpg.html)

Best of luck.

[ATH]

I'm with those warning of possible scumbags coming to view the vehicle. When I advertised the Prado I specifically stated that drivers licences would be checked and details copied.
The few who rang objected to my "attitude" but we had a strange increase in people walking slowly past the driveway having a perve.:p
Then when the bloke that bought it turned up on behalf of rellies in the NT I forgot to check his licence!!!!
And his driving was absolutely bloody awful. :o When I spoke to the prospective new owner he did say his BiLs driving was "confronting"......
Carsales is the way to go as others have said, but do be careful with types that come around to view it including those who want to take their kids with them for a nice little drive.:mad:
Good luck.
AlanH.

PS. The bloke that did test drive it turned out to be a pastor so maybe he drove with divine guidance.

[WhiteD3]

Sold the D3 privately 3 years ago. Boss just sold 2 x D3's privately and found the same thing.

It takes 3 months.
Hold out for THE buyer. There isn't that many buyers in the 40k market, regardless of the price on Redbook.
Get a RW but be prepared to get another in the 3rd month.
It takes 3 months........if you want your price.

[101RRS]

I would go one better and ask to hang on to their license while they drive it.

Isn't it an offence to drive a motor vehicle in Qld without your driver's licence on your person. It is most other places.

Garry

[Celtoid]

Isn't it an offence to drive a motor vehicle in Qld without your driver's licence on your person. It is most other places.

Garry


It never used to be, which I believe is unchanged. You used to have 24hrs, I think, to produce your licence after that (as in present to a police station), if pulled over by the police.


QLD are now introducing a new system for their licences ..... I'm not sure what the rules will be regarding carrying it after that.


There is certainly a lot of emphasis on photo recognition in an automated sense, as you have to get a new type of photo taken when you get the new style licence and it sounds very Big Brotherish.


I'll have to check ..... I just carry mine out of habit.

[solmanic]

As far as I am aware you have 24hrs to present it at the police station if you are pulled over and don't have it on you. Besides, some car dealers hold your license if you go for a test drive.

[vnx205]

According to the NSW RMS site in the section of advice for visitors to NSW, it is an offence to drive without it. No mention of 24 hours to produce it. I think that ended decades ago in NSW.

You must carry your licence with you when you are driving. There is an on-the-spot fine for not having your licence with you.
Driving < Tourists and visitors < Using roads < Roads and Maritime Services (http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/internationalinterstate/driving.html)

I'l leave it to someone else to look up the Qld regs. :)

[101RRS]

Yes -my experience has been in the Premier State and the Capital Territory where it is an offence and has been since I got my licence in 1970.

Garry

[solmanic]

According to the NSW RMS site in the section of advice for visitors to NSW, it is an offence to drive without it. No mention of 24 hours to produce it. I think that ended decades ago in NSW.

You must carry your licence with you when you are driving. There is an on-the-spot fine for not having your licence with you.
Driving < Tourists and visitors < Using roads < Roads and Maritime Services (http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/internationalinterstate/driving.html)

I'l leave it to someone else to look up the Qld regs. :)

I've just done some reading up on this and indeed, there is no mention of whether or not you need to carry your license in the Qld drivers guide on the TMR website (well none that I can find at least). However, from wider searching on the interweb it does seem that this in fact carries a fine and you have to produce your license within 24hrs at the relevant cop shop ($150 has been quoted).

What I did discover though is that this appears to be a somewhat discretionary fine with people getting either a fine or a warning depending on the mood of the officer.

[Bigbjorn]

Can't do that in Qld as the only person that can cancel the rego is the registered owner and they need to hand the plates in,

Regards,
Tote

A quite simple and painless process. You and the Previous owner drive to the registry, they hand in the plates and the required paperwork, you apply for a permit to drive unregistered vehicle and off to another state you go.

[Basil135]

If you have a printer / scanner, just take a copy of their licence while they go for a drive, then give them the copy when they return.

That way, they can carry their licence, but you still have their details.

Oh, and if someone turns up for a test drive, and offers to leave their vehicle as security, do a quick on line rego check, to make sure it isn't stolen.

Have heard of the baddies stealing one car, even with the keys, and then finding a better car to take for a "test drive" & leaving the first stolen car with you.

[Bigbjorn]

It never used to be, which I believe is unchanged. You used to have 24hrs, I think, to produce your licence after that (as in present to a police station), if pulled over by the police.


QLD are now introducing a new system for their licences ..... I'm not sure what the rules will be regarding carrying it after that.


There is certainly a lot of emphasis on photo recognition in an automated sense, as you have to get a new type of photo taken when you get the new style licence and it sounds very Big Brotherish.


I'll have to check ..... I just carry mine out of habit.

A QT contact tells me they are having a lot of fun with their new facial recognition software. Finding people who have two or more licences under different ID's.

[Celtoid]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the great advice.

I'd have prefered to trade the car but the prospect of losing around $10K in the process put me off. :o

I appreciate it may take some time to find somebody that is willing to part with that much money but fortunately I don't need to get a rushed sale. However, if I get close enough to my 'reserve' I'll let it go.

Not keen on the idea of potential 'riff raff' and time wasters coming round my house but I guess I could employ the carpark at the local public park as a meeting point.

With regards to the 'security' advisories raised by a couple of you guys, I'll be checking licences and under no circumstances will anybody be driving the car without me in it. I'm pretty certain genuine buyers will have no issue with that. If not ..... too bad ... LOL!!!

I'm organising detailing and the other admin aspects, so should have it listed soon.

Thanks again for your collective advice.

Cheers,

Kev.

PS Anybody checked out the MY13 D4 for sale on this forum, only listed yesterday? Looks like an absolute steal! Wish it had been listed earlier .... LOL!!!

[Tote]

I've sold the last few vehicles that we have needed to get rid of privately and if you are in a position to wait it is definitely the best option.
3 Months eseems to be a bout the time you need to wait for a serious buyer but I think the distance from Sydney weeds out some of the time wasters for me. My most recent experience was with a BA Falcon on dedicated gas. I suspect we were being passed around the Indian community, the last lot were really miffed when I would not accept their offer that was $3000 below market value and whinged loudly about the fuel bill to come and try to haggle with me. ( and the six hours it apparently took them to drive 300 KM) I ended up selling it locally for pretty much what I reckoned it was worth so stick to your guns.

Regards,
Tote

[chuck]

Be honest.

If you owe money on it declare it.

Let the purchaser make a bank chq to the finance people.

If you can get extended warranty offer it, even as an extra.

Get a roadworthy even if it is going interstate that way it can be legally driven by the new buyer.

Offer to get permit for interstate purchaser's flying in.

Let the purchaser ring your mechanic to verify that it has been serviced etc.

[ATH]

Don't forget to get well stocked up on sedatives as you'll need them after going for test drives with some of them out there. I said about the pastor that drove our Prado, I was shell shocked afterwards and had to have a quiet sit down with a couple of tins to settle my nerves.
No checking of a licence would have readied me for the sheer terror of his driving.:o
Good luck.....
AlanH.

[Celtoid]

I would go one better and ask to hang on to their license while they drive it, assuming you aren't going to ride along - which I always do.

For advertising, you can't beat Carsales, but as others have suggested, start on places like this forum first. When you do start advertising widely on-line, for God's sake take decent photos! If you have access to a wide angle lens then use it for the interior shots. Take a ton of photos and use the maximum number you are allowed to on whatever site you advertise. Simple formula - start on the outside, opposite corners and perhaps a side & front shot, then plenty of interior shots and perhaps an engine bay depending on how clean it is. If you exclude a particular area (say inside shots), people will automatically assume it is a mess in there. Carsales offers it own photographing package which a lot of dealerships use. Have a look at the angles they take on their in-house ads and copy that.

If, like I was, you are selling a vehicle you dearly love, a good set of "hero" shots is worth it for advertising and sentimental value. Sunset also makes for great photos. For example:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh191/solmanic42/IMG_5934.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/solmanic42/media/IMG_5934.jpg.html)

And inside...

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh191/solmanic42/IMG_5965.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/solmanic42/media/IMG_5965.jpg.html)

Best of luck.


Thanks mate, appreciate the advice. Very smick looking car you have there.


Do you by any chance know what the general allowable size is for most sites?


My mate took a plethora of shots with his new camera but obviously they all come out at around 8+MB (5516x3744p) per frame. So I need to reduce resolution on them.


Cheers,


Kev.

[Celtoid]

Hi Guys,


In the event of a perspective buyer being interested, I'm assuming he's not going to have 50+ Large in his pocket.


What is the norm or best practice for the 'interested to money in-hand' situation?


Obviously I won't be accepting personal cheques but do I take deposits, etc? How does that work, how binding is it?


Cheers,


Kev.

[Trundle]

Last car I sold the bloke transferred the funds in front of me over the internet, sent me proof of transfer, photo of his licence, and all good. He travelled 700km one way to buy the car, and neither of us wanted to waste time.
If your dropping that type of cash, either bank cheque, which requires multiple visits in reality, or cash, or on site internet transfer.
Depends a bit on the situation, eg location of buyer and seller, if both are in the same city it's easier than someone who travels a decent distance to buy.
I travelled 1200 km to buy my last one (cheap at under $10,000) so paid cash.
If you can take a cash deposit and wait a week for the rest before handover you know you have a serious buyer, and is the safest option.
Good luck.

[Celtoid]

Last car I sold the bloke transferred the funds in front of me over the internet, sent me proof of transfer, photo of his licence, and all good. He travelled 700km one way to buy the car, and neither of us wanted to waste time.
If your dropping that type of cash, either bank cheque, which requires multiple visits in reality, or cash, or on site internet transfer.
Depends a bit on the situation, eg location of buyer and seller, if both are in the same city it's easier than someone who travels a decent distance to buy.
I travelled 1200 km to buy my last one (cheap at under $10,000) so paid cash.
If you can take a cash deposit and wait a week for the rest before handover you know you have a serious buyer, and is the safest option.
Good luck.


Mate,


I'm liking the sound of a direct debit into my account .... fingers crossed.


But even with that I'd still be a bit nervous handing the car over straight away 'cause I don't think the money appears at my end instantly .... and there are folks with the will and the way (technology) to hustle like that.


Cheers,


Kev.

[Graeme]

I like having the transfer done at the seller's local branch of the buyer's bank rather than over the net. I got payment for my D2 from an interstate buyer (I attended the bank then handed over the keys) and paid for a truck interstate with the seller (a small dealer) happy with sighting the stamped deposit slip before handing over those keys.

[scarry]

It never used to be, which I believe is unchanged. You used to have 24hrs, I think, to produce your licence after that (as in present to a police station), if pulled over by the police.


QLD are now introducing a new system for their licences ..... I'm not sure what the rules will be regarding carrying it after that.


There is certainly a lot of emphasis on photo recognition in an automated sense, as you have to get a new type of photo taken when you get the new style licence and it sounds very Big Brotherish.


I'll have to check ..... I just carry mine out of habit.

In Qld on an open licence,you don't have to have your licence on you,but may be asked to produce it at any police station within 24hrs.

If on a provisional licence,you must carry it at all times while driving.

When selling a vehicle in Qld,a Bank cheque(not a personal cheque)is what i usually get from the purchaser.They must also fill out the rego transfer forms which include DL number,etc,BEFORE they take the vehicle.Make sure you sight the licence so can check the DL number,names,etc.
Once this is done all speeding fines etc are the purchasers responsibility once they have signed the rego transfer forms.
If the purchaser then does not go to the Transport dept and submit the forms,the seller is in the clear.
Make sure you keep the sellers part of the transfer forms.

[solmanic]

Thanks mate, appreciate the advice. Very smick looking car you have there.


Do you by any chance know what the general allowable size is for most sites?

Used to have (sniff).

Not sure about photo size limits but most sites will auto-resize large images when you upload them so try that before wasting time doing it yourself.

[WhiteD3]

Go with the bank cheque. Low tech and everyone should be able to do it and there'll be no IT glitches, etc.

You might find that for the money you are asking they'll be two cheques, one from the buyer and one from the financier.

[Celtoid]

In Qld on an open licence,you don't have to have your licence on you,but may be asked to produce it at any police station within 24hrs.

If on a provisional licence,you must carry it at all times while driving.

When selling a vehicle in Qld,a Bank cheque(not a personal cheque)is what i usually get from the purchaser.They must also fill out the rego transfer forms which include DL number,etc,BEFORE they take the vehicle.Make sure you sight the licence so can check the DL number,names,etc.
Once this is done all speeding fines etc are the purchasers responsibility once they have signed the rego transfer forms.
If the purchaser then does not go to the Transport dept and submit the forms,the seller is in the clear.
Make sure you keep the sellers part of the transfer forms.


Thanks for your help Paul.


Appreciate it.

[Celtoid]

Go with the bank cheque. Low tech and everyone should be able to do it and there'll be no IT glitches, etc.

You might find that for the money you are asking they'll be two cheques, one from the buyer and one from the financier.



Yeah, probably [bigwhistle]


Cheers,


Kev.

[Graeme]

Blank bank cheques are sometimes stolen. Banks wont automatically honour bank cheques these days, still wanting them to go through the system to be verified.

[scarry]

You would be pretty unlucky to get tangled up with a stolen Bank cheque.
If you were that worried,you could always get it cleared before handing over the keys.